Member Credit: Hassan A. / Ethan G.
Download PDF: link
This guide covers the installation of an 8th-generation (2016–2020) Nissan Maxima steering wheel onto a 5th-generation (2002–2003) Maxima. The setup enables full button functionality and backlighting. The steering wheel is from a 2019 Maxima (with audio and cruise control buttons, non-adaptive cruise).
Assumptions:
- You’re willing to relocate the drive computer button elsewhere.
- You don’t require the drive computer display to function.
- You have an aftermarket stereo with a working steering wheel control interface (e.g., PAC SWI-RC module).
Airbag Wiring
This is the custom harness for airbag connections using yellow connectors. This section focuses on splicing and matching the correct airbag plug types from the 8th-gen wheel to the 5th-gen airbag system.
Steering Side Wiring for Lights and Buttons
Button Resistance Mapping (8th Gen Wheel)
There are 5 unique resistance values for 10 functions, so the wiring must be combined into a single signal line by adding a 1 kΩ resistor to one wire when merging signal lines.
Connector Pinouts
-
5th Gen Connector (Vehicle side)
-
Pins 13–20 handle functions like Mode, Volume, Cruise, Drive Computer, and Horn.
-
-
8th Gen Connector (Steering wheel side)
-
Adds an extra pin for illumination (12 V for button lights).
-
Pin Mapping Table (5th → 8th Gen)
| 5th Gen Pin | Function | 8th Gen Pin | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Empty | 13 | Cruise Control (White) |
| 14 | Mode / Track Up (Orange) | 14 | V+, V−, Tel End, Display (Yellow) |
| 15 | Volume Down / Track Down (Blue) | 15 | Source, Up, Dn, Tel, Enter (Green) |
| 16 | Button Common (Yellow) | 16 | Cruise Control (Brown) |
| 17 | Cruise Control (Green) | 17 | Common wire for buttons (Blue) |
| 18 | Cruise Control (White) | 18 | Horn (Grey) |
| 19 | Drive Computer (Purple) | 19 | Ground (Black) |
| 20 | Horn (Red) | 20 | Light 12V (Red) |
The 8th gen clock spring supports all buttons and illumination.
Re-Pin Order for 5th Gen Connector (Table 2)
| Pin | Wire | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | — | Empty |
| 14 | Black | Ground |
| 15 | Yellow + Green (1 kΩ resistor added) | Signal |
| 16 | Blue | Common ground |
| 17 | Brown | Cruise |
| 18 | White | Cruise |
| 19 | Red | Horn |
| 20 | Grey | Lights |
Diagram #1
Shows re-pinning layout and resistor placement:
-
Add 1 kΩ resistor between green and yellow signal lines.
-
Swap black and green wires as shown.
-
Connect Red → 12 V lights, Grey → horn, Blue → common ground.
Column Side Clock Spring Connector Modifications
To integrate lighting and drive computer trigger, modify 3 wires at the column-side plug:
a) Cut the red wire, solder its connector side to ground, and tap the car-side red wire into Blue/Yellow.
b) Cut Green/Red wire, and connect its connector side to switched 12 V+ (from the Red/Blue wire near driver kick panel, used by headlight switch).
c) Column-side Green/Red wire is the Drive Computer trigger — wire it to an external momentary switch if you want to retain trip computer function.
d) Identify the correct radio control wire on your stereo harness; follow your interface module programming guide.
e) Reprogram your PAC SWI-RC or similar interface for new button functions.
Diagram #2
Shows:
-
Splice Red ↔ Blue/Yellow.
-
Connect Green/Red → 12 V switched (Red/Blue at driver kick panel).
-
Ground the cut Red wire’s connector side.
-
(Optional) Wire Drive Computer trigger to an external button.
Final Result
-
2019 Maxima steering wheel mounted in a 5th-gen dashboard.
-
All illumination LEDs and button functions (audio, cruise, phone) work properly.
-
Aesthetically and functionally complete swap.
Comments are closed.